By Kiara Doyal, The Seattle Medium
After years of housing instability, debt and a credit score that made homeownership seem out of reach, Sherika Moore moved into a home of her own in May, completing a journey she says required discipline, faith and the support of Young Black Homeowners.
Moore, a single mother who had also experienced incarceration, entered the Young Black Homeowners program in September 2023 facing financial barriers that made qualifying for a mortgage difficult. Working with YBH founder Anzhane Slaughter, Moore developed a plan to improve her credit, reduce her debt and prepare for homeownership.
Through YBH, which provides homeownership education, resource connections and guidance through the homebuying process, Moore received help understanding the steps she would need to take to become mortgage-ready and eventually purchase a home. For Moore, that meant confronting financial challenges that had previously made homeownership seem difficult to reach.
“It was like a wash, rinse, and repeat kind of cycle. It seemed so hard for me to get out of debt, try to raise my credit score enough to get my first home, all while paying bills, and also providing for my children,” said Moore. “I felt like I was literally drowning in uncertainty about becoming a homeowner. Unfortunately, I also didn’t qualify for the debt assistance programs because my credit was way too low.”
Slaughter said Moore’s determination to become a homeowner for herself and her children helped her remain committed to the process.
“She was so determined for the sake of her children, for the sake of wanting a better life for her family,” said Slaughter. “She was determined to stick through the program, to follow the guided plan that was customized by our team for her specifically, to not only help boost her credit but also to pay down some of that debt that she needed to get qualified, and she did it.”
As Moore worked through that plan, she and Slaughter remained in contact, with Slaughter checking on her progress and adjusting the plan when necessary. Moore would also call when she reached financial milestones.
“She was on top of it. She would call me sometimes, monthly, just when she paid off her debt and we would celebrate over the phone,” said Slaughter. “It was a great support system that we built around her, and her just calling so frequently was a reflection of that.”
Moore said making progress required confronting her finances directly and changing some of her spending habits.
“It took a lot of discipline and willingness to face my fears. I had to stop hiding from my bank statements and actually study my spending habits and make real sacrifices,” said Moore. “Now, I can say today I am free from all of my old debt, a homeowner, and have funding to actively invest in my family’s future.”
“I am most proud of myself for not just saying I am giving it to God, but really doing it. I knew what I had to do. I did my part and let God do the rest.”
Moore also credits her faith with helping her through the process.
“The moment I realized my life and financial situation were beginning to change was when I surrendered it all and gave my financial situation over to God. I knew I couldn’t carry it alone anymore,” said Moore. “After I did that, I began to see money free up in areas where I could pay down my debt and chip away at it little by little. Needless to say, God has been so good to me! He is the Lord of breakthroughs.”
As Moore moved closer to buying a home, YBH also helped connect her with down-payment assistance made available through resources developed in collaboration with the African American Leadership Forum. According to
Slaughter, YBH and AALF secured $100,000 in state funding that allowed YBH to leverage additional resources to support homebuyers, including Moore.
“My experience with YBH was great! Even my smallest victories were treated like major milestones,” said Moore. “I am also forever thankful for the down payment resources they were able to provide.”
Once Moore was pre-approved for a mortgage, Slaughter said their communication became more frequent as they moved from financial preparation into the home search.
“While we were just trying to get her mortgage ready, we would speak every other month. I would check in and see how her spirits were doing, where the progress is at, and see if we needed to reevaluate the plan,” said Slaughter. “Once we got her pre-approved, we were speaking on a weekly basis. Whether it was us going out and shopping or just checking in on the progress. And then once we got her in a contract, it was more of a day-to-day communication.”
“Staying connected and knowing that we’re a resource to help them not only just get into that first home, but level up is important to us,” Slaughter added.
Moore moved into her new home at the end of May, but she said the significance of becoming a homeowner did not fully sink in until nearly two months later.
“I remember finally putting in my Juneteenth flagpole on the corner of the house, and it just hit me. Like, wow, this is what I worked so hard for,” said Moore. “Being able to see my son put in effort to keep his room clean daily as a teenager and constantly sending me things for his room to make it his is more than what I have asked for. I am just overwhelmed with joy, and I am so ready to make memories with my family.”
For Slaughter, her own experience growing up without housing stability remains part of what motivates her work with prospective homeowners.
“I came from an unstable household, so I just think about my childhood and how it would have been different, and that keeps me motivated,” Slaughter added.
Looking back at her journey, Moore said she hopes her experience encourages others who may believe financial difficulties or past circumstances have placed homeownership beyond their reach.
“You could be one resource, one open door, or one supportive community away from completely changing your life. My transformation didn’t happen because I became a different person suddenly,” said Moore. “It happened because my faith and hard work finally met with the right structural support. Always remember the math: surrender plus discipline equals generational cycles that can be broken!”
